Sunshiney Days

My lord! A lot has happened since the last time I have written. Lets see...I am going to just recap one day in particular only because it is that crazy! 
It's a nice day, my husband had givin me a gift certificate to a hair salon in a nice part of town for Christmas. He has been gone for three weeks prior so I was saving up for the perfect time to go and get my haircut alone, in peace. I pick the day set an appointment. Am beyond stoked. My little family rushed out of the house to pick up my car that needed some fixin' and Britt dropped me off and rushed the girls to gymnastics class. I was running  a little late so I decided to call ahead and let them know that I would be about 5-10  minutes late but would be there. So the guy looks up my appointment and says to me that my appointment wasn't until 11. I thought SWEET! I have plenty of time, awesome news. I start heading toward the girls gym and then realized what I was doing and quickly made a uturn and headed towards Old Navy. This is going to be the greatest day. I find some seriously cheap sales for the girls and am feeling good about myself. It is time for the salon. *squeal*
I pull in, am early. Automatically am feeling a strange vibe from the salon but think to myself this is my day and no way will I let it be ruined. I am givin a tour of the salon. Nothing great, zebra print chairs, a "color bar", and about two customers. So the man sits me down at the color bar. The hairdresser , Cindi, comes over and introduces herself. This is where it all begins......
I hate Cindi....from the jump. She comes over gives me a fake "hello" and limp handshake (which, says a lot about a person. A handshake should be: firm and sincere). She asks me all these questions about my hair and how I would like it colored. One color? two colors? what shade of blonde? I am thinking to myself, fuck lady I don't know. Make it look real! So I am feeling a little weird about that. No one is going to ruin my day. Surely the lady knows how to make partial highlights look natural. I tell myself to relax. 
She calls over to randoms to come and hold pieces of my hair. I am reading a trash magazine and decide to let myself just chill and enjoy the gossip( in the magazine that is). Then all I hear is whispering. I think to myself, is she talking about me?? I then start to listen closer.

Love is in the Air

Love is in the air not only because yesterday was Valentine's Day but because it just has been! I feel so lucky! The house has been calm with minimum fighting going on (which is a miracle). My husband missed me on his trip and sent me a picture of the sunrise followed by a picture of "I love you" written in the sand. I teared up, I think that may mark the sweetest gesture I have ever received from my husband in years. He also to top it off, brought home seashell necklaces for all the ladies in his life. How very sweet indeed. The girls have been hugging me and kissing me a lot lately and writing me love letters and I even receive love letters from a very dear friend who I love tons! 
I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Britt leaves in August for four months but I have confidence that this will be a really good challenge for us and one that will bring us even closer than we are today. We have been through sooo much over the last several years and we can get through this as well. I am thankful to have Ariel here to keep me company! :)

Todays horoscope :

This is a climactic time for you, Leo. All your yearly cycles have reached a critical juncture. You may feel as if you're at a point of tremendous victory or terrible failure. Either way, it's important that you look on this time as a celebration that you've made it this far. Make changes where necessary and continue to reevaluate your progress over the next few months.

 This isn't the picture from B but who doesn't think that is beautiful?

Inspiration Find it Daily

  And Motivational Quotes of the Day:

These just grabbed me today. I don't have really many things to say over the last few days. Yesterday, I bought myself a pretty dress.

Believe nothing because it is written in books.
Believe nothing because wise men say it is so.
Believe nothing because it is religious doctrine.
Believe it only because you yourself know it to be true.

Siddharta Gautama Buddha (563-483 B.C.)

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."

Mark Twain

Run Forrest Run!

I haven't written about the big race! Last Sunday was my first half marathon and it was sooooo much fun! I am already planning ahead for the next one! I felt like the mileage was just enough. 13.1 miles is the perfect distance. Enough to challenge yourself but also to enjoy!! ENJOY! That is huge! The weather in Austin, Texas really couldn't have been more perfect. We headed (Lisa and I ) to the start line to meet Ariel at 6:45 am.  We were a little chilly to start due to the clouds and misty air. I will tell you it did not take long before we were warmed up! The course was really flat for the most part with a few small hill climbs along the way.  The weather, the people on the side of the road yelling encouraging words, and the other runners with smiles on their faces. Runners are special people. They love to run, they love the challenge and you get a  sense of family when you are there hitting the pavement.  I don't like to run with earph0nes, water bottles, sweaters, pants or really anything for that matter. For me, the birds, the wind in my hair, the bark of passing dogs, squeals of young-ens, the rhythm of my stride and clean air in my lungs is a peaceful moment for me. On Sunday my senses were full of happiness! :) I also loved watching some people run and their strides. We had ostriches, antelope, grizzlies, ducks and cheetahs. Really, you see all kids of interesting runners out there. Not to say that I have a gorgeous stride by any means, trust me that is not what I am saying at all. With no judgment,  I giggled a lot!! I smile when I think of two in particular.  One lady seriously reminded me of some kind of bird. She had really short hair like my mom and the way she moved was something out of a cartoon and then the man who looked like one of those zombies from the movies with his arms flailing about and strange grunt. You almost wanted to keep yourself guarded in case he wanted to run after you and eat you! ha!!

The day was perfect, just perfect. I was able to catch up with an old friend afterward and we laughed and we cried. Sisters. 

Ariel, let's do it again! I am so proud of you too!! :)

Here's a few photos taken from the race. They aren't the most glamorous but it's proof! I can do it! And will do it again!

Sweet Potato Pancakes

It has been a wonderful morning! I got up before the alarm, had prepared breakfast last night before I went to bed, and woke up to a quiet and smooth morning! And for the mom's out there you know what a piece of heaven that is!! I have been living off of this cookbook for several weeks now but mainly the last two weeks I have been choosing a recipe every day! If you don't have her this book...get it! You will be amazed at how your children will eat like they have never eatin' before! It is a hit at out house. Even the hubs is saying "yummm..." !

 

These were this mornings treat! So easy, make the night before and no fuss in the early morn! Enjoy! You WILL say YUM!

 

http://caloriecount.about.com/pancakes-sweet-potato-jessica-seinfeld-recipe-r90356